Requires quarterly reading of electric and gas meters.

Rhode Island Bill Summary: Quarterly Utility Meter Reading Requirement

This bill would require utility companies in Rhode Island to physically read customers' electric and gas meters at least once every three months (quarterly). Currently, many utility companies use estimated billing for some months, meaning your bill is calculated based on a guess of how much energy you used rather than an actual reading of your meter. This bill would set a minimum standard to ensure that actual readings happen on a regular, predictable schedule.

The bill would primarily affect Rhode Island residents and businesses who receive electric and gas utility service. For customers, this could mean more accurate bills that reflect actual energy usage rather than estimates, which can sometimes result in unexpected charges or credits when the estimates don't match reality. It could also help customers catch problems like gas leaks or unusual energy consumption more quickly, since regular readings would make unusual spikes more noticeable.

Utility companies operating in Rhode Island would also be directly affected, as they would need to ensure their meter-reading operations meet this quarterly schedule. This could mean additional staffing, technology investments, or operational adjustments for companies that don't already meet this standard — particularly as many utilities have shifted toward less frequent in-person readings in recent years, relying instead on smart meters or estimation systems.

The bill has been referred to the House Corporations Committee and is scheduled for a hearing in April 2026. It has not yet been voted on.